Still assessing the damage tab from the Main Place Tower fire on February 20th. Business First reports at least 15 law firms or legal services providers are tenants of that tower - with many dealing with water or smoke damage - or both. There is structural damage to the 15th floor - the fire's origin. Water from firefighter hoses and sprinklers apparently soaked all the way

According to Forbes Magazine, San Diego-based Qualcomm is releasing fingerprint scanning technology that creates a 3D model of your fingerprint using ultrasonic sound waves. Turns out that technology is based on work from Ultra-Scan Corporation of Buffalo, which was acquired by Qualcomm in 2013. Ultra-Scan worked with the Department of Defense to create the first non-optical four

Buffalo's largest private home care company, WillCare HealthCare, has been bought up by Louisville, Kentucky company. Business First reports that national home health nursing firm Almost Family Inc. expects its purchase to range from $46 million to $53 million based on earnings prior to final closing in the second half of 2015.

Martin’s Fantasy Island has announced a $1 million expansion. As part of the changes, The Rock ‘n Roll Musik Express will be an added attraction, as well as a
brand new Jack & The Beanstalk ride in Kiddieland. The 54th opening day for Fantasy island is Saturday, May 9th.

Pegula Sports & Entertainment appears to be on the move. Business First reports that a 1-year lease arrangement is about to end at One Seneca Tower. It's likely that Pegula Sports & Entertainment will move to Ellicott Development Co.'s The Creamery Building at 199 Scott Street.

The AAA puts the current average cost for a gallon of unleaded gas at $2.48 for the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area. That's a decline of nine cents in the past month. The current national average per gallon is $2.30.

Despite crashing out on the final lap of the Daytona 500 yesterday, Jeff Gordon is pushing forward with his planned $400 million Canadian Motor Speedway

The Hyatt Regency of Buffalo is planning a bit of a facelift. Having already re-done its rooms, a $3 million project is planned to renovate the hotel's main entrance. Also in the works are renovations to some of the hotel's corporate meeting rooms. There will be changes to the Atrium restaurant and its bar. Business First adds the Hyatt is negotiating with a

Lancaster-based Buffalo Filter has added a new product called the PlumePen Pro to its line of surgical plume evacuation pencils. Business First reports the device was designed as a cost-effective product that combines precision surgical smoke management and electrosurgery without compromising quality.

New York is once again the second highest producer of apples and the third highest

It's a formal ribbon cutting and grand opening for Landmark Health New York’s office in the Larkin Center of Commerce today. Landmark Health partners with BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York for “Care at Home”, an innovative program for the health plan’s Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

Business First reports that Capital Heat Inc. has capitalized on a growing
geothermal business. Capital Heat has purchased a new drilling rig, due to a more than doubling of that business in recent years. The rig required three new hires. Depending on the system being replaced, the annual energy savings for a customer could reach 70 percent.

The deadline for health insurance applications to New York state's health plan marketplace has been extended until February 28th for those who have already taken steps to begin the application process. Those who complete their enrollment in time will have coverage starting April 1st. Those who miss the deadline or opt not to enroll will face tax penalties and need to wait until

Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream in Lockport is moving its manufacturing operations. Currently operating out of 79 Canal Street, the company will house its commercial kitchen, warehouse and distribution center at 49 Niagara Street..

Podiatry Affiliates is joining Buffalo Medical Group effective March 1st. That will move some clinic locations; patients at the Niagara

Something new will be brewing this fall at ECC North. With New York State backing, the campus will begin offering a one-year certificate program in Brewing Science and Service. Local breweries have offered their input to courses for the 31-credit program - like Intro to Brewing, Filtration and Finishing, and Brewing Microbiology.

Safe Harbor Development has been selected as the operator of the Small Boat Harbor, which will be transformed into Buffalo Harbor State Park. Safe Harbor has pledged to invest at least $10 million in property upgrades over the next few years - starting with a $5 million investment this fall to renovate all 1,037-slips.